While some of us procrastinators have yet to take down Holiday lights and ornaments, Alicia Terry has been busy planning the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center’s (GLIIHC) December 2020 Holiday Toy Program.
Terry, who is GLIIHC’s Community Support Specialist, led a planning committee of six GLIIHC employees who produced an impressive, day-long celebration.
The 2019 Toy Program was the fifth year for the production that has steadily grown under Terry’s coordination. A record total of 1,502 gifts were provided to Native youth on December 12.
With GLIIHC being the main sponsor for gifts, Terry says, “we also had support from Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services (SEOTS) that sponsored 90 gifts, the Hasting’s company that sponsored 20 gifts, along with individual sponsorships from our GLIIHC employees and Board of Directors.”
With continued support from Cermak Fresh Market, the first 120 families who walked through our GLIIHC doors received a turkey or ham to take home, she said.
After registering, the next stop for families was a visit with Santa (Security Lead Ron Grieger) and Mrs. Claus (Registered Nurse Madalyn Johns), who brought along two Elves (Referral Specialist Denica Quiles) and Fred Ramsey (Security) from the North Pole. As guests went into the community room there were stations for: snacks, cookie frosting & decorating, book readings, stocking & hat decorating, and small toys. Special thank you to the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Goodwill Thrift Stores who provided winter apparel for staff to distribute.
It was amazing to watch the celebration that ran seamlessly with help from GLIIHC staff, their families and numerous volunteers.
Terry wants to thank everyone for their support: Be it financial, volunteering, donating toys, food or winter apparel.
“I am overwhelmed by the big-heartedness we saw towards our GLIIHC families. Thanks to the generosity of our community and businesses, we can say that Christmas 2019 was a colossal success,” says Terry.
Registration for the 2020 GLIIHC Holiday Program will begin in September. She urges those interested, to go the GLIIHC Website www.gliihc.net for updates and to see photographs from this year’s exciting event.
By the way, what is Terry’s wish?
“For the program to be successful and bigger every year,” she said. “In 2020, we’d like to beat our record number of gifts given. If you or your organization would like to sponsor a child’s gifts, please contact me at aterry@gliihc.net to find out how you can help and participate, or, call me at (414) 316-5051.”